10 days in Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Krabi

Day by day

1. 1

   Day 1

   Arrival in Bangkok — first night in Sukhumvit

   Land at Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Bangkok's main airport. Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai (30 min, 45 THB / €1.20) then BTS Skytrain to Sukhumvit — the most convenient area for a first night, between Nana and Asok stations. Drop bags, shower, head out.

   First move: let yourself be pulled into Sukhumvit Soi 38 for a plate of pad thai in front of the woks (60-80 THB / €1.60-2), then walk up to Terminal 21 to feel the crowd and the neon signs. Don't aim for a temple tonight: the heat (28-32 °C in the evening) and jet lag call for an easy first Bangkok night.

   Tips

   • · Avoid taxis without a meter at the airport exit — use the official Taxi-Meter counter (organised queue, 250-350 THB depending on traffic, motorway tolls extra).
   • · Best area to stay: Sukhumvit between Asok and Thong Lo — well served by BTS, restaurants open until 2am, close to main transport lines.
   Bangkok →
2. 2

   Day 2

   Bangkok: Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun

   Bangkok's non-negotiable day. Arrive at the Grand Palace at 8:30am when it opens (500 THB / €13, combined ticket including Wat Phra Kaew) to beat the crushing midday heat and tour groups. Dress code strictly enforced: shoulders and knees covered — sarong rental available at the entrance (50 THB).

   Leave around 10:30am, walk 5 minutes to Wat Pho (200 THB / €5.30) and its 46m reclining Buddha. This is where traditional Thai massage was born: the temple school takes walk-in bookings (420 THB / 60 min). Cross the Chao Phraya by river taxi (4 THB) to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn — climbing the prangs gives the best panoramic view over the river. Lunch at a riverside restaurant on the Thonburi side, then BTS back for the rest of the afternoon.

   Tips

   • · 8:30am slot is essential — the Grand Palace sees over 5,000 visitors per day in high season; combined heat and crowds after 11am make the visit unpleasant.
   • · The Grand Palace ticket includes entry to Vimanmek Mansion (golden teak palace) in Dusit — usable the same day or the next if time is short.
   Bangkok →
3. 3

   Day 3

   Bangkok: floating markets, Chinatown and Khao San Road

   A day of contrasts between tradition and effervescence. Early departure by Grab (motorbike taxi or car, 150-200 THB from Sukhumvit) to Taling Chan Floating Market or Khlong Lat Mayom — accessible and authentic floating markets west of Bangkok, open on weekends from 7am to 3pm. Cooking boats gliding along the canals (khlongs), stalls of tropical fruits, grilled fish and pad krapao straight from the dugout (80-120 THB per dish). On weekdays, substitute with a longtail canal tour through Thonburi.

   Afternoon: Yaowarat (Chinatown) by MRT — the main road comes alive from 5pm with BBQ stalls, dim sum and duck noodles. Nai Ek Roll Noodles (Yaowarat Soi 11) for roast duck kway teow (80 THB). Evening: Khao San Road 5 km away — the backpacker street, unmissable even for non-residents, with its street bars, fried scorpion vendors and unique energy until 2am.

   Tips

   • · Floating markets are open weekends only: check arrival day to align Day 3 — landing on a Thursday or Friday is ideal to catch them on Saturday.
   • · Tuk-tuk from Sukhumvit to Chinatown: negotiate 200-250 THB maximum — any offer under 100 THB systematically hides a detour to a gem shop or travel agency.
   Bangkok →
4. 4

   Day 4

   Bangkok → Chiang Mai flight — check-in and old city

   Domestic flight Bangkok (DMK or BKK) → Chiang Mai (CNX), 1h10, 900-2,500 THB / €24-66 depending on airline and booking lead time — Thai Lion Air, Nok Air and AirAsia serve the route multiple times daily. Book at least 2 weeks ahead for low fares. Arrive at Chiang Mai Airport, official taxi (150 THB fixed fare to the centre).

   Settle into a guesthouse or boutique hotel around the old city moat (Mueang Kao) — the ideal base to explore on foot. Easy afternoon: cycle around the historic square (rental 60-80 THB / day), glimpse Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh. Dinner on Nimman Road or at the Sunday Walking Street if it's Sunday — 1 km of craft stalls and street food between Tapae Gate and Wualai Road (5pm-11pm).

   Tips

   • · Don Mueang (DMK) departures are often cheaper than Suvarnabhumi — check both airports when searching; the difference can reach 800-1,000 THB.
   • · Book accommodation in the old city or on Nimman Road: two neighbourhoods 2 km apart, both lively; anywhere else requires a songthaew (red truck-taxi, 30 THB) to get around.
   Chiang Mai →
5. 5

   Day 5

   Chiang Mai: Doi Suthep and Thai cooking class

   A day in two halves. Morning: Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai's iconic mountain temple, 15 km from the centre (30 min by songthaew from the zoo, 50 THB one way). Temple entry: 30 THB, then 309 steps or funicular (20 THB) to reach the golden chedi at 1,073m elevation — panoramic view over the city and plain. Arrive before 9am to have it to yourself in the golden morning light.

   Afternoon: Thai cooking class — among the best in Asia. Duration: 4-5h including a visit to Ton Lam Yai market, preparing 4-5 dishes (green curry, pad thai, tom kha soup, mango sticky rice) and eating the results. Budget: 900-1,500 THB / €24-40 depending on the school. Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School, Zabb-E-Lee and Gap's House are reliable. Book 48h ahead. Return to the old city, light dinner at the Chang Klan Road night market.

   Tips

   • · Morning haze is common in cool season (Dec-Feb): the view from Doi Suthep is often clear between 9am and 11am, then cloudy by afternoon — going early remains the best call.
   • · Cooking class: choose a school that includes the market visit — that's where the real knowledge is transferred (identifying kaffir lime leaves, fresh vs dried galangal, hand-pressed coconut milk).
   Chiang Mai →
6. 6

   Day 6

   Chiang Mai: elephant sanctuary

   The highlight of northern Thailand. Elephant Ethical Sanctuary or Elephant Nature Park — always choose an ethical sanctuary (no-ride, no-show, caring for rescued elephants). ENP, founded by Lek Chailert, is the world reference: book 2-3 weeks ahead (2,500-3,200 THB / €66-85 with transport from Chiang Mai and vegetarian lunch included).

   The day runs 7-8h, leaving Chiang Mai at 8am. You observe elephants in their natural habitat, feed them bananas and sugarcane, and bathe them in the river — no saddle, no hook, no performance. An emotionally powerful experience, guaranteed. Return to Chiang Mai around 5pm. Evening on Nimman Road for cocktail bars and fusion restaurants — last night in the north before the flight to Krabi.

   Tips

   • · Elephant Nature Park sells out 3-4 weeks ahead in high season (Nov-Feb) — book as soon as flights are confirmed; it's the first booking to make.
   • · Absolutely avoid any camp offering elephant riding treks or circus performances: cruel practices still very common in the region, easily identified by their low prices (under 800 THB).
   Chiang Mai →
7. 7

   Day 7

   Chiang Mai → Krabi flight — arrival and Railay Beach

   Chiang Mai (CNX) → Krabi (KBV) flight, 1h45, 1,200-3,000 THB / €32-80 — AirAsia operates the daily direct route; otherwise connect via Bangkok (add 3-4h total). Book as soon as the trip is planned — it's the tightest leg of the circuit. Arrive at Krabi Airport, shared minibus to Ao Nang (150 THB) or taxi (400-500 THB). Base yourself in Ao Nang — the most practical hub for excursions.

   If time allows (last long-tail boat around 6pm): take a long-tail from Ao Nang to Railay Beach (100 THB, 10 min) — a peninsula inaccessible by road, surrounded by 360° of towering limestone cliffs. Even one hour on Railay West Beach at sunset justifies the trip. Dinner in Ao Nang, Lae Lay Grill sea-facing or the night market stalls.

   Tips

   • · Book the Chiang Mai → Krabi flight as soon as the trip is planned — limited availability in high season, and the Bangkok connection considerably lengthens the day.
   • · Ao Nang vs Railay for sleeping: Railay is quieter and more spectacular but 30-40% pricier with no ATM — stick to Ao Nang for the logistics of a 3-night base.
   Krabi →
8. 8

   Day 8

   Krabi: full day at Railay Beach

   Full day on Railay Beach — long-tail from Ao Nang from 8am (100 THB, boats every 30 min). Four beaches accessible from the peninsula: Railay West (sunset, calm waters, ideal for swimming), Railay East (mangrove, less swimmable), Phra Nang Beach (the most beautiful, sacred caves, turquoise water) and Tonsai Beach (surf, bohemian vibe).

   Krabi is one of the world's top destinations for limestone rock climbing: dozens of routes on the Railay and Tonsai cliffs, from 5b to 7c+. Recommended schools: King Climbers or Hot Rock (half-day beginner session 1,200 THB with guide). Without climbing: kayak between the cliffs (300 THB / 2h) or simply lounge on Phra Nang in crystal-clear water. Return to Ao Nang in the evening, dinner of grilled fish by the kilo from the main-street stalls.

   Tips

   • · Phra Nang Beach is reachable from Railay in 15 min on foot via the southern trail — don't miss Princess Cave (Tham Phra Nang), a shrine with wooden phallus offerings, disconcerting and fascinating.
   • · Calm waters from mid-November to mid-April on the Andaman coast — outside this window, boats can be cancelled and waves make swimming difficult on Railay West.
   Krabi →
9. 9

   Day 9

   Krabi: 4 Islands Tour

   The unmissable organised excursion: the 4 Islands Tour from Ao Nang visits Koh Mor (coral snorkelling), Koh Tub and Koh Chicken (a sandbar connecting both at low tide), and Koh Poda (crystal-clear water, immaculate white sand, postcard-perfect palm trees). Duration: 7-8h, long-tail boat or speedboat depending on option. Budget: 600-800 THB shared long-tail / 1,200-1,800 THB speedboat with mask, snorkel, lunch and water included. Book via hotel or Ao Nang agencies the evening before.

   The sandbar between Koh Tub and Koh Chicken disappears at high tide — the tour is timed to pass through at low tide (generally 10am-12:30pm). Guaranteed photo opportunity, snorkelling at Koh Mor at 9am before other groups arrive. Back in Ao Nang by 4-5pm. Free evening — last dinner in Krabi, Tew Lay Bar on stilts or Ruen Mai for seafood.

   Tips

   • · Choose the speedboat if timing is tight — it visits the same islands in 5h instead of 8h, leaving the afternoon free for a massage or extra kayaking session.
   • · Reef-safe sunscreen is mandatory at the site — rangers have enforced the ban since 2022; regular sunscreen can result in a 1,000 THB fine.
   Krabi →
10. 10

    Day 10

    Krabi → Bangkok → international departure

    Last Thai morning: easy wake-up, breakfast at the Ao Nang morning market — khao tom (rice soup, 50 THB) and freshly pressed fruit juice. Last-day rule: allow at least 2h30 between hotel and boarding gate at Krabi Airport (KBV), and factor in the Bangkok connection if your international flight departs from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK).

    Krabi (KBV) → Bangkok (BKK or DMK) flight, 1h20, 800-2,000 THB / €21-53 — AirAsia and Thai Lion Air serve the route multiple times daily. If flying directly internationally from Krabi, skip the connection. Bangkok stopover if needed: allow at least 3h between landing and international departure (checks, different terminal, possible shuttle between BKK and DMK — taxi 400 THB or AE-4 bus 150 THB). Return to Europe on 11-12h flights (Paris CDG, 7-9 times weekly from BKK in high season).

    Tips

    • · Last-minute shopping in Ao Nang: local pharmacies sell Tiger Balm, papaya cream and Thai balms at one-third of airport prices — allow 30 min before the taxi to the airport.
    • · Don't underestimate the Ao Nang → Krabi Airport route at peak times — allow a minimum of 45 min and up to 1h30 on a Friday morning in high season.
    Krabi →

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